Akron Aeros starter Paolo Espino rebounded into form Sunday after struggling mightily in his last two starts. Unfortunately for Espino and the Aeros, the Richmond Flying Squirrels and Edwin Escobar were even better. The Aeros (53-55) fell to the Flying Squirrels (50-58) 2-0 Sunday afternoon at Canal Park as they split the four-game homestand with Richmond.

Akron, OH – The Akron Aeros scored seven runs in the first four innings and held on to defeat the Richmond Flying Squirrels 7-4 on Saturday night at Canal Park. A late rally from Richmond would fall short as the Aeros would hold on to a well-earned victory.

“I am not going to say that I'm happy it happened, but this is the minor leagues and you have to learn. You have to show up to play every day. Whatever happened yesterday you have to turn the page. This is a learning moment.” Akron Aeros' manager Edwin Rodriguez had that to say about his team's 9-4 loss Friday night.

By the third time Francisco Lindor walked up to the plate Thursday night at Canal Park, the Akron faithful began to chant, "Fran-cis-co." The highly-touted Indians prospect put on a show and gave everyone a look into the type of hitter he can be, going 3-for-5 with a home run, a double and three runs batted in to lead the Aeros to a 5-1 win over the Richmond Flying Squirrels.

We all know Francisco Lindor is an elite player, but watching his video game numbers pile up upon his promotion to Double-A is an entirely new level of dominance. Lindor did show his human side a little bit Thursday -- striking out for the first time -- but he more than made up for it in power. To read about Lindor's night, a Mahoning Valley infielder showing he can hit, and much more, join Jim Piascik as he takes you Around The Farm.

In today’s second edition of Minor Happenings for the week, Tony takes an in-depth look at some of the hot prospects in the organization. He provides some insight into the season that outfielder LeVon Washington has had and when and where he will be promoted, provides some comments from Ross Atkins on a very talented Carolina Mudcats roster, reviews the hot start by shortstop Francisco Lindor at Akron and his major league time clock, provides insight into outfielder Clint Frazier’s pro debut and how the Indians are handling him, and discusses infielder Joe Sever who is an emerging prospect in the system.

Wednesday night was a good night in the organization, and not just because the major league club won. See, Wednesday night was #WashTime, as the outfielder made his presence known in Arizona. In addition to #WashTime, the organization also had some Tyler Naquin, a little Eric Haase, and much more. To read all about the night in the minor leagues, join Jim Piascik as he takes you Around The Farm.

The Akron Aeros dropped the finale of a seven-game road trip with a 3-2 loss to the Bowie Baysox on Wednesday morning. Toru Murata (4-5, 3.78) dealt five scoreless innings for the Aeros before the Baysox finally ignited some offense.

In this week’s edition of Minor Happenings, Tony takes a look at the continued strong performance of Double-A Akron lefty Matt Packer and his major league future, provides some comments from Ross Atkins on some players at rookie level Arizona, and some news and insights into players such as Carlos Moncrief, Jose Ramirez, Bryson Myles, Nellie Rodriguez, Matt LaPorta, LeVon Washington and more.

Before heading out on their road trip last week, Akron Aeros manager Edwin Rodriguez noted the dire position the team's 47-50 record left it in as the season starts winding down. His team responded, as the Aeros got back to .500 over the past week and put themselves firmly in the playoff race. To read about Akron's winning ways, top prospect Francisco Lindor's red-hot debut, and much more, join Jim Piascik and go Launching off with the Aeros.

The young phenomenon Fransisco Lindor continues to make a splash in Akron as he provides the game-winning hit in the ninth inning as the Akron Aeros defeat the Bowie Baysox 4-2 on Monday night at Prince George’s Stadium in Bowie, Maryland.

If the Aeros were racing in the Indy 500 on Sunday, they would have taken the checkered flag by several laps because they were firing on all cylinders. Righthander Brett Brach scattered four hits over seven innings to pick up his sixth win, and Carlos Moncrief led the offense with three hits, a homer, and four RBI as the Aeros throttled the first-place Senators, 11-2, at Metro Bank Park.

The legend of Jesus Aguilar continues to grow. The 23-year-old native of Maracay, Venezuela, who can seem to do no wrong for the Akron Aeros this season, ripped a line-drive, solo home run into the left field stands in the top of the 10th inning Saturday night, lifting the Aeros to a thrilling, 3-2 win over the Harrisburg Senators at Metro Bank Park.

The Cleveland organization got homer-happy Thursday night, as Lake County led the way with four home runs on their own. None of those shots could overshadow what happened with Carolina, however, as the team hit their first walk-off home run of the season. To find out walked off for the Mudcats and everything else you need to know about the night in the minor leagues, join Jim Piascik and go Around The Farm.

Harrisburg pitcher Nate Karns and 12 runs is a lethal combination for Eastern League opponents of the Senators. That was certainly the case Thursday night as the Senators dealt the Aeros a 12-3 loss in the opener of a four game series at Metro Bank Park.

Well not that Colon, obviously. While Tony is off having fun on vacation, Jim Piascik fills in, analyzing High-A Carolina right-hander Joseph Colon's return from injury and his development, admires and breaks down the progress Double-A outfielder Carlos Moncrief has made in 2013, checks in with Aeros manager Edwin Rodriguez on how a dozen of his players are doing and what changes they are making, and provides insight and information on the likes of Alex Monsalve, Bryson Myles, Dorssys Paulino, Nellie Rodriguez, D'Vone McClure, and more!

Nellie Rodriguez struggled at Lake County early in the season, making it was clear that the organization pushed the first baseman too quickly. After he was moved down to Mahoning Valley, Rodriguez looked better and started to produce, not that anyone could have seen Wednesday night coming. Rodriguez turned in a career performance, and to read all about it and the rest of the action from the minor leagues, join Jim Piascik and go Around The Farm.

The Akron Aeros walked off over the Erie SeaWolves with a big hit from Kyle Bellows for a 5-4 victory on Wednesday afternoon. Right-hander Will Roberts (6-7, 4.30) received the start for the Aeros to counter Erie righty Victor Larez (6-7, 5.03).

There was only one game played in the Indians organization on Tuesday night because of the MLB All Star game, but it was a big one. In Akron the game featured the debut of shortstop Francisco Lindor as well as the continued good play of several other hot prospects in the system.

Available IBI Books

The 2014 Cleveland Indians Baseball Insider book featuring the Indians' Top 100 Prospects and more is now available. Also, previous editions from 2008-2012 are also available at a discounted rate. Just click on the book image for more information. Thanks again for all the support!